Photo: Sherdog.com
Stipe Miocic at his UFC weigh-in
Interview by Mike ‘The Croatian Crippler’ Rožić
Stipe Miocic is an American-born Croatian that currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championships. The Cleveland native is one of the top prospects currently on the UFC roster and was recently victorious against tough veteran Joey ‘The Mexicutioner’ Beltran. Miocic is currently undefeated in Mixed Martial Arts with a record of 7-0. Mixed martial arts fans worldwide should keep a close eye on Miocic as he possesses all the tools needed to succeed in the UFC heavyweight division. On behalf of CroatianSports.com, ‘The Croatian Crippler’ would like to thank Stipe Miocic for taking time out of his busy schedule to provide our readers with this interview.
Tell us about your Croatian background. What region is your family from? Do you speak? Have you visited Croatia?
My mother is from Cetingrad (Karlovac) and my father is from Rtina (Zadar). I don’t speak much but I’m learning. I haven’t had the chance yet to visit Croatia because I have been busy with sports and work my whole life, but I’ll be there soon. I keep up the best that I can with all Croatian sports.
Have you attended any Croatian events in Cleveland?
A lot when I was a kid but since I’ve been older it’s a lot harder to attend because of training and work.
Do you feel any pressure starting your career behind Croatian legends such as Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović and Pat ‘The Croatian Sensation’ Miletich? Have you met any of the Croatian fighters on the UFC roster?
Not at all. I have to prove myself. It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with them. I haven’t met any of them but would love to meet them.
Photo: Sherdog.com
Miocic representing with checkers, just like CroCop
Have you been following the Croatian national team’s qualification campaign for the European Championships?
Yeah. I was keeping up with them during the weigh-ins (laughing).
How tough was it to finally get your shot in the UFC?
It was tough. All the hours put in training and finally getting the chance to compete in the UFC.
How many training sessions do you do in a normal day?
(Laughing) It depends. Usually twice a day, sometimes three times, even when I’m working. I get my first workout at about 8am… then the second in the evening.
Any idea when your next fight is/or your opponent?
No, I have no idea.
If you could train with anyone once, alive or not, who would you train with?
Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović.
To date, what is your biggest accomplishment in MMA?
Signing with the UFC.
What do you prefer? The stand- up game or the ground game?
Wherever it ends up. Its MMA. I have to be ready for anything.
If you had a choice for your next opponent, who would it be?
(Laughing) I haven’t the slightest clue. Whoever I guess.
If you weren’t involved in MMA, what would be your dream job?
I already have it. I’m a firefighter/paramedic.
Photo: Sherdog.com
Are more belts on the way for Miocic?
Do you have any heroes or people you look up to?
My parents.
I’ve heard a rumor that you knocked out current UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez in an amateur bout? Any truth to that rumor?
(Laughing) Got to love the Internet. No, that’s not true at all.
Any thoughts on Lebron James’ departure from Cleveland?
His choice, I really don’t care.
Are you still involved competitively in baseball or wrestling?
No, those days are over (chuckles).
Are you still a paramedic/firefighter?
Oh yeah! I wouldn’t change it for the world.
How would a three round bout between Stipe Miocic and The Croatian Crippler end (laughing)?
Croatian Crippler in the first by toe hold (laughing).
Who makes your checkered Croatian shorts? Any plans for Stipe Miocic merchandise to go into production?
Some guy in Croatia actually. Hopefully, that would be awesome!
Anything you want to say or add for your Croatian fans worldwide?
Thank you for all of the support, it means a lot!!!
Stipe Miocic Shows Off His Heavy Hands
And another KO for Stipe…
You can follow Stipe Miocic on Twitter @Smiocic.
You can follow The Croatian Crippler on Twitter @Crocrippler.
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@ Denis Svircic
Hopefully I can round up some good interviews and especially have a chat with Igor Pokrajac.
@Shinobi
Thanks I’m glad your enjoying the articles and interviews. Stay Tuned for more interviews in the future.
Update
In Mirko CroCops last interview he said Stipe is welcome anytime to come down and train. Anyone got flight times from Cleveland to Zagreb?
HALO FROM SLC, UTAH
I cannot wait until Stipe’s next fight..that is all
Represents the checks well. He does have the tools to become a force in the HW division, great hands, great chin, great takedown defense and plenty of time to develop. Hopefully one day he will be thought of in the same way and prestige as Pat Miletich and Mirko Filipovic.
I wish stipe a long and successful MMA career. I will keep a keen interest on his next fight in the UFC.
@ Mike ‘The Croatian Crippler’ Rožić
Thanks for the interview. Great reading.
Ziva Istina sije bisere. Ha, ha, ha.
Well, if he is a croat from Cleveland that means one thing…….he must be drunk.
@ Anonymous,
You have some bold ideas and I like them! I hope Miocic makes it to the top of UFC. It’s tough but let’s see what he’s got. If he came out to Bojna Cavoglave in Vegas, shit would get crazy. Hopefully CroSports gets him some popularity. The guy is doing everything right with the checkered shorts.
Maybe we can be his Cro Publicists. CroCop out. Miocic in. Tall order. Stay tuned.
Even better, maybe team CSR finds a way to sponsor the guy and get him to wear a shirt in the octagon, get on it fellas I know u LA croats can find a way.
stipe miocic,
man u look so damn croatian and ur name is so croatian, trebas nauciti hrvatski jezik. Go to croatia, hit up Zadar, find a beatiful dalmatinka, play the professional croatian/american athlete card and your money! Good luck with the ufc, its about time we got some american croats making some noise, I’ll be rooting for you. PS if you are reading this dont ever change the checkered shorts! And second, I would love to hear some Tompson maybe bojna cavoglave or lijepa li si, shit will get ur juices flowing.
Stipe “svi smo za te”, we gotta give this guy a nick name or slogan, maybe Denis’s will stick
@Crippler,
Once again, well done. Can’t wait to see what you can do at UFC 140 in Toronto. My favorite question had to be
“How would a three round bout between Stipe Miocic and The Croatian Crippler end”
I like the response. Time to get you in the ring and see what you can do.
@Miocic,
Nice to have a Croatian-American make some noise in the sports world. Dude, get your ass to Croatia, seriously. We will set you up to spar with Filipovic. 🙂
Thanks for the interview. We are all rooting for you. “Svi smo za te”. and don’t forget where you came from.
First video 1:13. LOL
This guy looks like he’s going to kill someone.